Eastern Ibibio Cries For Help, Seeks Ntisong Ibibio III Support For Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency To Produce Governor in 2023

Members of Eastern Ibibio People’s Association – an association comprising elders from Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Ikono and Ini Local Government Areas in Ibibio nation have appealed to the sons and daughters of Ibibio nation and the entire Akwa Ibom State to support Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency to produce the next governor come 2023.

The association made the request on Monday, March 15, 2021 while visiting the Ntisong Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio III, Obong (Engr.) Essien Ekidem and his cabinet members in his palace in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

Speaking on behalf of the association, the leader of the delegation, Barr. Eteyen Archibong explained that since the governorship position is zoned to Uyo Senatorial District in 2023, the people of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial district should take its turn since the constituency has never tasted power with the return of democracy in 1999.

Barr Archibong explained that the people of Uyo Federal Constituency and Etinan Federal Constituency have benefitted from the position with rapid infrastructural development from the two constituencies, insisting that for the sake of justice, equity and fairness, Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency should also take it turn in order to enjoy the dividends of the political office.

“We are not coming for war; all we came for is to seek for your intervention and support to use your position to talk to the people of Uyo and Etinan Federal Constituencies to support their brothers from Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the 2023 governorship position. This will bring fairness and unity to all zones in Ibiono nation,” he said.

Archibong decried that the Eastern Ibibio nation has suffered immense marginalization in political inclusion and economic development, noting that Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency has the highest number of bad roads across the state.

“Today, Ukana in Essien Udim Local Government Area is a developed town courtesy of former Governor Godswill Akpabio; Awa is a developed town with modern infrastructures courtesy of the present helmsman, Governor Udom Emmanuel. We need such infrastructural development in Eastern Ibibio nation. This will be possible through your support for our struggle to the governorship position in 2023.”

He appealed to Ntisong Ibibio III to talk to Governor Udom Emmanuel on the political historical arrangements of Ibibio nation, saying that those rallying around the governor are not interested on telling the truth to the governor, but are after what goes into their pockets.

He thanked Ntisong Ibibio III for the support he gave to Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency in 2007 and 2011 that led to the emergence of Senator Aloysius Etok as the Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

He also commended the Ntisong Ibibio III and his cabinet for his warm reception, adding that the association is in support of the prevailing peace and development in the State.

In his reaction, the Ntisong Ibibio III, Obong (Engr.) Essien Ekidem commended the effort of the association for standing up to build its community for the growth of Ibibio nation.

He stressed that 2023 governorship is for Uyo Senatorial District dominated by Ibibios, the majority tribe in Akwa Ibom State and strictly for a man who has developmental blueprint and must be a giver. “We need an outspoken man, performer and giver. So if you don’t have go and train one before 2023 election”.

He advised them not to cause violence, but to believe in God as the one who chooses leaders, saying that his duty is to bless candidates.

Also speaking, a member of Ntisong Ibibio III cabinet, Mkpisong T.O. Akpan said that 2023 government is for a giver not for a stingy politician who only cares about his pocket.

“Go and bring a good and credible candidate for the job, we will support you. We need a man who will do for Ibibio nation what Senator Godswill Akpabio did for Annang nation. I am of the opinion that government should come to the to Eastern Ibibio zone”.

Other elders who spoke at the meeting highlighted the qualities of a preferable candidate in 2023 governorship to include, the candidate must have Ibibio interest, must be a giver, must accept to maintain the peace and development enjoy in the State, etc.

The delegation of Eastern Ibibio People’s Association was drawn from Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Ikono and Ini Local Government Areas.